Drive Through Christianity

I, like many in my generation, want things quickly and easily this shows up in many areas in my life including relationships. This mindset also transfers over in the way many of us lead others to Christ. We want to minister to someone, we want them to repent on the spot and give their lives to Christ. This is wonderful when it happens but it can also produce Christians who are saved by grace but still living in sin because the person who planted the seed moves on. Jesus likens salvation to the the planting of seeds. Lets look at Matthew 13:1-9 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. ² And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

³ Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. ⁵ Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. ⁶ But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. ⁸ But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (NKJV) 

Jesus, doesn't just talk about the seeds He talks about the ground they fall on as well. The stony place, the wayside, and the thorns were all places that were not prepared for the seed. When we lead people to salvation and their hearts are not prepared we bring Christians in to the kingdom that will be devoured by the attacks of the enemy and backslide, those who get really excited and fired up but lack endurance, and those who start to grow in Christ then are stifled by their circumstance. We need to hear God and do more than sow seeds. Sometimes God calls us to prepare the ground, then tend to it. Salvation without discipleship is like a planted seed without access to water, or sunlight. It cannot survive. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," many people focus on the later part of the verse but the first thing Jesus says to do is to make disciples. He wants us to take time to teach people what we have learned through His word. Salvation is important but without discipleship it does not change lives. 

Many times we as Christians can be so judgmental. We look at someone who professes to be saved and criticize them if they are not leading a godly life. These people may love God and want to serve Him but don't know where to start.Yes we can suggest that these people come to church and bible study to hear from God or we can go get them. This can be done through the unrelenting love of Christ. Phone calls, Facebook, and other social media, taking time out to talk or have coffee, being available. Jesus disciples knew Him because of the quality time they spent with Him, the newly saved get to know God through the time they spend with those who know Him. We need to take time to be like Jesus, time is a valuable thing and people need to know that they are worth yours. 

Father, 

Thank you for your word. For showing us your heart for the lost and the broken. Help us not to forget their wounds and scars need attending too even after they have found you. Give us your heart so we can love in a deeper, more meaningful way, and please still us so we can let your voice guide our steps. We love you, we thank you. Amen